The treatment of sexual deviance within therapeutic settings

Abstract

This chapter will describe the treatment philosophy used by Australian correctional jurisdiction to treat sexual deviance issues within a therapeutic setting. The basis of the approach is to assist individuals convicted of a sexual offence to learn a small number of skills that can be used for all treatment risk areas. In so doing, there is a focus on healthy sexuality throughout all of the treatment process and a limited need for specific treatment exercises relating solely to sexual deviance. The importance of contextual or process issues to create optimal therapeutic environments within which to target sexual deviance is highlighted. Having described the treatment philosophy, we then illustrate specific treatment strategies used for sexual functioning with reference to specific exercises or concepts organised under physiological arousal, cognitions, and behavioural.